Has there ever been such an atmospheric start to a symphony? Utter brilliance. In these times when we have tension in politics I thank Russia for the musical geniuses they have produced. Dimitri Shostakovich is my favourite among many. This symphony is one of his best. His work was one of my intros into classical music - for that gift I am eternally grateful and that provides a fondness for all thinks Russian in my heart. Regimes may quarrel but people don't.
Is it a coincidence that by far the best Shostakovich biography is only available in German and Spanish (Bernd Feuchtner: “Und Kunst geknebelt von der groben Macht”: Dimitri Schostakowitsch, künstlerische Identität und staatliche Repression)? Without any doubt, the painful facts of the never ending fight of Shostakovich’s artistic identity against state repression would make you revise your Russia image - profoundly.
Excellent interpretation! Former orchestral musician here. Surprisingly good percussion. Tight, high pitched snare drum playing, and very articulate timpani at the quiet volumes. He has great dynamic range. This difference between good a great Shostakovich is the intensity and precision of there percussion parts. Russian brass is a bit of a weaker point, but what doea one expect from a string heavy culture.
Under Berglund's tenure one of our best provincial orchestras became world class, especially in Sibelius and Shostakovich. British smaller orchestras have a system of augmenting from other orchestras much the same as the Finns do. This rendition of No 11 is well nigh perfect in execution, with a sense of terror beautifully balanced by musicians on top form with a maestro in the real sense directing. Berglund's 'Leningrad' from the same set of recordings is superior to others for the same reasons of balance and shaping.
Bells are too quiet in the end imo, I want a BANG!!! to end off my favorite symphony. I like Andris Nelsons’s and the Boston Symphony the best, but otherwise, this is another great recording!
I have a question, there is a beautiful Shostakovich song from a film The First Train called Tender Girl Song and in this symphony I hear the same theme at times. What is the connection and which one was composed first?
Tender Girl song was written in 1956 and this symphony in 1957. May be there is a link with the words from S.Vasiliev in the song 'Tender Girl' and the moral behind this symphony.
The Soviet philistines didn't get it. Terrifying as a prelude to the Stalin horrors that followed. Look around for the Stalin apologists, they're not hard to find.
@@myfavouriteshostakovichint2217 try Michael Sanderling. That one has the bells, has the intensity. It is a little lacking with the tam tam in the beginning of the finale's coda but I think that interpretation also makes sense. Gives me this feeling of the military marching in slowly towards the protesting crowd. And then the music just go full nuts past that. A true pleasure to the ear.
I agree with Mateus. Søndergård and the Welsh orchestra nail pretty much the whole symphony. Berglund drags and is a bit slow. I agree that the slower version can be appropriate at times, but Søndergård's rendition has become my favourite. (at this writing: watch?v=Lu09CWT41NE ).
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This is the right tempo and intensity for this music. This is by far the best version.
Holy hell that second movement...
Has there ever been such an atmospheric start to a symphony? Utter brilliance. In these times when we have tension in politics I thank Russia for the musical geniuses they have produced. Dimitri Shostakovich is my favourite among many. This symphony is one of his best. His work was one of my intros into classical music - for that gift I am eternally grateful and that provides a fondness for all thinks Russian in my heart. Regimes may quarrel but people don't.
That comment doesn't age very well, I fear!
Is it a coincidence that by far the best Shostakovich biography is only available in German and Spanish (Bernd Feuchtner: “Und Kunst geknebelt von der groben Macht”: Dimitri Schostakowitsch, künstlerische Identität und staatliche Repression)? Without any doubt, the painful facts of the never ending fight of Shostakovich’s artistic identity against state repression would make you revise your Russia image - profoundly.
Isn't this Shostakovich's best film music, powerfully evocative, to the point of dispensing with images?
Excellent interpretation! Former orchestral musician here. Surprisingly good percussion. Tight, high pitched snare drum playing, and very articulate timpani at the quiet volumes. He has great dynamic range. This difference between good a great Shostakovich is the intensity and precision of there percussion parts. Russian brass is a bit of a weaker point, but what doea one expect from a string heavy culture.
Under Berglund's tenure one of our best provincial orchestras became world class, especially in Sibelius and Shostakovich.
British smaller orchestras have a system of augmenting from other orchestras much the same as the Finns do.
This rendition of No 11 is well nigh perfect in execution, with a sense of terror beautifully balanced by musicians on top form with a maestro in the real sense directing.
Berglund's 'Leningrad' from the same set of recordings is superior to others for the same reasons of balance and shaping.
This interpretation knows when it needs to be powerful, intimidating, atmospheric, etc. Up there with Boston symphony in my opinion. Extremely goos.
Bells are too quiet in the end imo, I want a BANG!!! to end off my favorite symphony. I like Andris Nelsons’s and the Boston Symphony the best, but otherwise, this is another great recording!
Thanks for this channel Arjen...
Chilling!,
❤
my second favorite recording, after Mariss Jansons, Philadelphia Orchestra
That's a great recording.
This is David Hurwitz's favorite too.
Lol we are everywhere
I have a question, there is a beautiful Shostakovich song from a film The First Train called Tender Girl Song and in this symphony I hear the same theme at times.
What is the connection and which one was composed first?
Tender Girl song was written in 1956 and this symphony in 1957. May be there is a link with the words from S.Vasiliev in the song 'Tender Girl' and the moral behind this symphony.
@@myfavouriteshostakovichint2217 Thank you.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund
The Soviet philistines didn't get it. Terrifying as a prelude to the Stalin horrors that followed. Look around for the Stalin apologists, they're not hard to find.
What do you think of Søndergård's rendition? IMO he nails the second moviment like no other.
Tell me what you hear? Can you describe it?
@@myfavouriteshostakovichint2217 try Michael Sanderling. That one has the bells, has the intensity. It is a little lacking with the tam tam in the beginning of the finale's coda but I think that interpretation also makes sense. Gives me this feeling of the military marching in slowly towards the protesting crowd. And then the music just go full nuts past that. A true pleasure to the ear.
I agree with Mateus. Søndergård and the Welsh orchestra nail pretty much the whole symphony. Berglund drags and is a bit slow. I agree that the slower version can be appropriate at times, but Søndergård's rendition has become my favourite. (at this writing: watch?v=Lu09CWT41NE ).
British percussion is pretty lacking. They just don't have the technique to pull it off.
Just listen to Oleg Caetani or Alexander Lazarev.
Will somebody please tell me what orchestra and what conductor am I hearing on this work?
Paavo Berglund
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
29:19 dies ierae